Areas which have been hit by flooding remain at risk because of extremely high river levels

Ed Miliband has tonight warned that Britain is sleepwalking into a disaster following the recent poor weather.

Speaking to the Observer, the Labour leader said there is a failure to recognise that climate change has caused the awful weather which has blighted much of the UK.

Mr Miliband said climate change is now an issue of national security that could destroy the livelihoods of millions of Britons.

7:55 pm

David Cameron tonight chaired a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee.

He said: "I heard an update on the weather forecast and the likely impact over the days ahead. Thankfully, it does appear that we will see less rain and wind over the next few days.

"However, after so much rain over recent weeks, groundwater levels remain very high and in many places will continue to rise.

"The extent of the extreme weather this winter is clear. The Thames barrier has been in operation for over 30 years and yet one quarter of all its total closures have happened in the last three months.

"Network Rail have also made clear the size of the task they face in keeping the rail network operating after so much rain and wind.

"I was reassured that all the agencies involved - thousands of people locally and nationally - have made huge efforts over last few days to protect more homes and businesses, with over 3,000 of our troops deployed on task tonight and many hundreds more on standby."

6:22 pm

Speaking during a visit to flood-hit Chertsey in Surrey, Prime Minister David Cameron said the relief effort in the next 24 hours would be "vital" as river levels were set to rise again.

He told Sky News: "This is a vast national effort where we're bringing all the resources of our country together. What we do in the next 24 hours is vital because tragically the river levels will rise again so every sandbag delivered, every house helped, every flood barrier put in place can make a big difference.

"Tragically these weather events have been hitting community and after community and doing that week after week.

"It has been very, very tough for people and my heart goes out to anyone whose been flooded and we'll do everything we can to help people get back on their feet."

17.17

Dorset Police have said there is nothing to suggest anyone is trapped underneath the cliff fall at West Bay but are continuing to check underneath the rubble as a precaution.

Emergency services had initial concerns for two walkers spotted near the scene shortly before the collapse but they have since been accounted for.

17.04

The number of homes without electricity is continuing to fall according to the Energy Networks Association.

Around 20,000 properties have been reconnected in the last hour and around 80,000 now remain without power.

16.50

Emergency services are still on the scene of that cliff collapse in Dorset and are using thermal imaging cameras and sniffer dogs to establish if anyone is trapped underneath the rubble.

16.20

The taxi driver who died after her car was crushed by a collapsed building in Holborn last night has been named as mum-of-three Julie Sillitoe, from north London. More soon.

16.08

Here's a picture from the scene of that cliff collapse at West Bay, Dorset.

We have reports of a 'large' cliff fall at West Bay on the Dorset coast, which is believed to have taken place around 45 minutes ago.

Police and fire services are understood to be at the scene and it is not yet known if anyone is trapped underneath the landslip. More details soon.

15.28

The Environment Agency has closed the Thames Barrier for a record 16th consecutive tide to help reduce the flood risk along the river.

Paul Leinster, chief executive of the Environment Agency, said: "Despite the improving forecast the risk of flooding will continue for many communities in southern parts of England over the next few days."

15.05

The Energy Networks Association has said the number of homes without power has come down to just over 100,000 as utility companies work to reconnect affected households.

Energy minister Michael Fallon earlier told the BBC he hopes 'most' properties would have their power supplies returned by the end of the day.

14.48

This is the terrifying moment huge waves battered the small fishing port of Newlyn, Cornwall, yesterday.

The waves rapidly sweeped water through the town as gusts of up to 80mph hit the area.